Volunteers across the country hit the streets this weekend as part of President Barack Obama's Gotta Vote Weekend of Action designed to register as many voters as possible before November's election.

Volunteer Alexa Painter, with Organizing for America, spent her Saturday helping people in the Valley sign up to vote the day after Obama announced a work permit plan that will affect illegal immigrants in the Valley and across the country.

Under the plan, illegal immigrants who meet certain requirements will be able to apply for work permits they can renew indefinitely to stay in the country.

"I think the Valley will be very positive about it," Painter said. "Of course, it's my opinion, but I personally believe that Obama is looking out for everyone, in a sense."

She hit the streets to get people like first-time voter Joseph Crawford to register to vote.

Painter said her organization is focused on registering voters, no matter their political affiliation.

Crawford promised himself he'd vote during this election and knows his vote counts.

"It can make a difference," Crawford said. "The more people that doesn't vote, it could affect it one way or the other, and voting's important."

Crawford said the economy's the most important issue to him.

He's glad teams have worked to make his vote count.

"This time I'm going to vote. Y'all being out here was great. I've got it done," Crawford said.

Painter hopes Obama's work permit program will inspire Hispanics in the Valley to vote.

"We're just a small community in Harrisonburg in small town Virginia, but every single person matters in this country, and every single person should be able to have a say in everything and that's what our country is based on," Painter said.

"Every single vote does count and should count."

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